A&M’s Racheotes named professor emeritus by Board of Regents
TEXARKANA, Texas — Dr. Peter Racheotes recently was named professor emeritus of counseling and psychology at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Racheotes said he was drawn to mental health long before it began receiving the national attention it has today.
“I’ve always been aware of mental health issues. I’ve been aware that we defund or not fund enough for mental health. I’d thought a way that I could give back is to teach a counseling program, which under my direction we received CACREP accreditation which is very important,” Racheotes said.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, commonly known as CACREP, is an independent accrediting agency, according to its website. The agency assures graduate counseling programs throughout the United States and the world meet standards within the counseling profession.
“Because we have that CACREP program, we’ve educated within a 100-, 120-mile radius people who want to go into the mental health profession. I would say 80% of all the providers within a 50-mile radius have been trained and graduated from our program,” Racheotes said.
Racheotes works as a therapist and group facilitator in the Batterer’s Intervention program with Domestic Violence Prevention in Texarkana. He attained his doctorate in counseling education from the University of Massachusetts.
Racheotes studied with famed duo William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson at the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation in St. Louis. He also worked with Virginia Satir while teaching in Canada, as well as with Salvador Minuchin at the Menniger Clinic.
Growing up in a single-parent household and raised by his mother, Racheotes said he has advice for his younger self.
“If you want to go on to get a higher degree like a doctorate, you must start applying yourself immediately and develop those good study habits, because that’s the way to succeed in graduate school,” he said.
Being named professor emeritus is a nod to his contributions at A&M, Racheotes said.
“Foremost, I see myself as a classroom teacher. I love the classroom, and I love the ability to interact with young minds that have different perspectives, so that has been a big draw for me to be connected with the students,” he said.
The university’s faculty and current and former students said Racheotes’ new title is well deserved.
“The number of lives he has impacted through his teachings is too great to quantify. I am thankful to be one of the many inspired by Dr. Peter Racheotes, and eager to take what I’ve learned from him to help empower others to improve their lives. His influence will continue to spark change for years to come. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of recognition on this level,” former student, Samantha Armstrong.
University President Dr. Emily Cutrer agreed.
“The conferring of the Emeritus title is done by the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System on the recommendation of faculty colleagues and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the university through long and distinguished service,” she said. “In his 48 years as a faculty member, Dr. Racheotes has influenced the lives of countless students and been a valued member of our university family.”